Every nation and Government in the world is run by its military forces, which protect the country from external attacks, and similarly, Kenya is no exception. The Military unit in Kenya is the Kenya Defence Forces, popularly known as KDF, established under the new 2010 Constitution. To join this highly ranked institution (KDF), one must undergo the recruitment exercise, which happens yearly as guided by the Ministry of Defence.
For those aspiring to join the Kenya defense forces or you are an officer looking to know if there are salary increases, knowing how much KDF officers earn in Kenya is essential. When it comes to their salaries, they are influenced mainly by the ranks they are in and their years of experience. To understand what the KDF payslip looks like, we walk you through all to know as of 2024 in this comprehensive guide.
KDF History
The Kenya defense forces have a rich history that can be traced immediately when the country attained its independence in the year 1963, but it was not until 2010 that it was constructed into the force that we know today. The first military in Kenya was created in 1963 based on the KMF Act-Cap 198, a parliamentary act that paved the way for the Kenya Military Forces.
Under the new Kenyan constitution, promulgated in 2010 under President Kibakis Goverment, the Kenya defense forces were established with the primary mission of providing defense and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
Article 241 of the Kenyan constitution states that Kenya’s defense forces are made up of three branches: the Kenya Army, the Kenyan Navy, and the Kenya Air Force. All the branches are led explicitly by the Commander of the force in that particular branch, and then there is the Chief of defense forces who oversees the whole army. The president of the Republic of Kenya is the commander in chief of defense forces.
KDF Rank Structure
The key factor that truly influences KDF salaries in Kenya is the ranks within the army. Each Branch of KDF has two ranks: Commissioned Officers and non-commissioned officers.
Commissioned Officers Ranks
These are officers with leadership positions in the army and are mostly involved with the decision-making process of the entire army. For Kenya Air Force, Kenya Army, and Kenya Navy, the ranks of all the ranks are listed below, from the lowest to the highest.
- Second Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier
- Major General
- Lieutenant General
- General
Non-Commissioned officers
These service members are not involved with leadership positions, but they are officers who work hand in hand to protect the nation on the ground. Officers in this category are the ones who, immediately after KDF recruitment, are enlisted here. The ranKs in this category are earned by promotion rather than being assigned by the president.
Here is a list of all KDF Ranks for Service Members ranked from lowest to highest:
- Lance Corporal (Kenya Army only)
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Senior Sergeant
- Warrant Officer Class II
- Warrant Officer Class I
How much does a KDF earn per month?
It is important to note that not all the KDF officers earn the same monthly salaries. There are several factors that play that influence salary figures on KDF payslips. These include leadership roles, experience, and, most notably, their ranks within the army. The lowest position is that of A cadet in training who earns Ksh, and the highest salary is up to Ksh 1,200,000 for the chief of defense forces, who also happens to be the only one-star general.
Below is a table of KDF salaries for all Positions according to their ranks as of 2024:
| Rank | Salary Range (KES) |
|---|---|
| Cadet (in training) | 7,172 |
| Cadet (after training) | 11,852 |
| Officer Cadet (3+ years) | 24,520 |
| Private | 19,941 – 30,000 |
| Lance Corporal | 26,509 – 50,000 |
| Corporal | 32,250 – 70,000 |
| Captain | 73,182 – 110,000 |
| Major | 102,106 – 150,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 130,735 – 180,000 |
| Colonel | 153,317 – 300,000 |
| Lieutenant General | 632,984 – 800,000 |
| Chief of Defence Forces | 894,897 – 1,200,000 |
Allowances
KDF personnel enjoy several allowances and benefits, especially when on peace missions or living in barracks. Those on missions, such as in Somalia, earn additional monthly allowances of Ksh 84,299. Personnel in barracks can buy commodities at half the market price.
Below is a list of all the allowances:
- Housing Allowance
- Medical Cover
- Risk Allowance: Paid between Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 10,000 per day when deployed outside the Country.
- Leave Allowance:
Along with these allowances, the KDF personnel are also entitled to:
- Foreign Service Allowance for Officers serving abroad
- Outfit Allowance for Officers and their families posted outside Kenya
- Pension or Retirement Benefits
- National Holidays
- NHIF (NOW SHIF) and NSSF deductions and benefits
- Medical benefits for employees in Kenya
- Exemption of NHIF and NSSF deductions for expatriates
FAQs
What is the salary of KDF in Kenya in 2024?
The Salary of a KDF soldier in Kenya is influenced by the ranks they are in. For example, the lowest rank is cadets fresh from training, earning a basic pay of Ksh 11,852; however, as the years go by, their salaries increase as their ranks increase. The top rank is that of a Chief of Defence Forces who earns up to KSh 1,200,000.
Will there be KDF recruitment in 2024?
Yes, there will be a KDF recruitment in 2024; however, as of December 2024, the Kenya defense forces are yet to announce the exact dates of when the exercise will happen.
How much does a KDF nurse earn in Kenya?
According to data from the Glassdoor website, a KDF nurse earns anywhere from Ksh 58,000 to Ksh 83,000 monthly as a basic salary.
Who is the highest-ranking military officer in Kenya?
GEN. Charles M Kahariri is the chief of Kenya’s defense forces as of 2024
What is the salary of civilian staff in KDF?
They earn a basic salary of Ksh 15,670 – 17,570 per month
What is the difference between specialist officers and cadets?
The main difference between cadets and specialist officers in Kenya is their training duration. Cadets training lasts only 11 months for undergraduates and three years for those with only a KCSE certificate. On the other hand, the training for the Special Service Officers is only 6 months
Wrapping-Up
And there you have it, my good friends. The Kenya Defense is the Military organization that defends Kenya from external forces. The KDF salaries in Kenya vary greatly by rank. The lowest rank in the military organization structure of Kenya is the Cadet in training, who earns a basic salary of KES 7,172. At the same time, the highest Rank is the Chief of defense of forces, who earns up to KES 1.2 million in a month.